The Other Paper - 6-27-24 by Vermont Community Newspaper Group

Remembering

Land trust honors its founding member

Page 2

the South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

Tell-tale heart:

Pickleball racket in SB prompts resident petition

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

For most of the 30 years Jovana Guarino has lived in South Burlington, she has considered the city a peaceful and enjoyable place to live.

That is until pickleball arrived.

Guarino says her quality of life has been drastically eroded by what she calls an “incessant and psychologically torturous, ‘pop-pop-pop’” sound emanating from pickleball players at Szymanski Park at all hours of the day, or at least until 10 p.m. when the park lights shut off.

The back-and-forth racket has turned her world upside down in a

way that she says keeps her from doing some of her favorite things — gardening, walking and biking the city, relaxing on her front porch and even keeping her windows open — because of the pervasive, “monotonous” sound.

For most of her time in the city, Guarino said she’s stayed far away from municipal mayhem and considers herself not to be an overly political person, but the pickleball problem has frayed nerves so intensely that it’s forced her to speak up at a city council and committee meetings for the first

See PICKLEBALL on page 12

South Burlington companies seek federal funds for ‘Tech Hub’

A consortium led by the University of Vermont that includes several South Burlington companies is currently vying for millions of dollars in federal grant money for semi-conductor technology research and manufacturing.

The group centers around a few key companies and institutions — including UVM and the South

The Vermont-based collective, dubbed the V-GaN Tech Hub, is applying for $36 million in funding as a part of phase two of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Tech Hubs Program, an initiative aimed at spurring technological innovation and economic growth in far-flung corners of the U.S.

Burlington-based tech company

OnLogic — in the Greater Burlington Area, which are working together to advance gallium nitride technology (GaN).

Gallium nitride technology is an emerging material being used in

semiconductor manufacturing with a broad array of potential applications in electronics.

In the fall, the consortium was

HABIB SABET

PHOTO BY MIKE DEAN

Mike Dean of South Burlington captured this shot of two cyclists enjoying a ride on Bostwick Road.

‘It’s

all about community’

South Burlington Land Trust honors Sarah Dopp

ROSANNE GRECO

On June 14, over 40 people gathered for the South Burlington Land Trust’s annual meeting to celebrate Sarah Dopp, the founder and president of the land trust, who died unexpectedly in March.

Instead of giving an annual award to someone who had made noteworthy contributions to preserving open spaces over the past year, the trust honored Dopp’s contributions over the past 21 years.

Speakers shared stories of Dopp that revealed her personality, spirit and commitment to land stewardship and civic engagement. Dopp knew there would be power when like-minded people joined together to save the natural environment in South Burlington.

When she formed the South Burlington Land Trust, Dopp did something truly noteworthy not just for open lands, but for the residents of the city. She built a community. Over the years, scores of residents across the city joined the land trust she started. Together they saved hundreds of acres of open land in the city.

Founder & President of the South Burlington Land Trust. A visionary leader who worked to preserve hundreds of acres of land so all might enjoy the blessings of nature and open spaces.”

Paul Conner, director of planning and zoning for South Burlington, spoke of the community she formed. He said Dopp’s land trust was where people spoke “with” one another, unlike what happens in city meetings where people speak “to” each other.

Conner noted that Dopp “showed up.” She regularly attended city meetings to listen, ask questions and give input. He described her as a “bridge builder” who could see multiple perspectives on issues. He said he and Dopp worked very closely over the years, and they respected each other even when they differed on issues.

Michael Mittag recounted how, through Dopp’s leadership, hundreds of acres of natural areas remain open, and without her, South Burlington would look very different today.

The land trust will erect a permanent memorial to Dopp — a bench with an engraved plaque with her name. With the city’s permission and assistance, the bench will be placed in the eastern area of the Wheeler property off Dorset Street, overlooking the Green Mountains. The inscription on the plaque will read:

“In Memory of Sarah Dopp,

Michael Mittag, a South Burlington Land Trust board member, spoke of Dopp as a “kindred spirit” who built one-on-one relationships with people. Dopp and Mittag were the founding members of the land trust in 2003, and they worked together on it ever since. Mittag recounted how, through Dopp’s leadership, hundreds of acres of natural areas remain open. He said that without her, South Burlington would look very different today.

Only a few months before her death, Dopp had concluded a conservation easement on the 40 acres of land she owned.

Donna Harley, Dopp’s longtime friend and neighbor, spoke of

the funny, everyday private side of her friend, and the abiding affection they shared for each other.

She told of how, many decades ago, Dopp struggled a bit acclimating to country living after moving to Cheesefactory Road from a suburban neighborhood. Harley recounted how they would walk in nature and revel in its beauty — even if they had to pick ticks off each other afterwards.

Other members spoke of pleasant interactions with Dopp. Chris Dobson told a story in which she donated to the Vermont State Button Society hundreds, if not thousands, of buttons her mother had saved. Others told of her paper calendar, which was always thoroughly packed with her too-busy schedule.

At the end of the evening, three board members — Janet Bellavance, John Bossange and Michael Mittag — were reelected, and two new members, Julian Keenan and

Fran MacDonald, were elected to fill open seats.

Rosanne Greco is interim president of the Interim President of the South Burlington Land Trust.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Members and friends of the South Burlington Land Trust gathered for the group’s annual meeting and to honor founder Sarah Dopp, who died in March. Michael Mittag, another founding member of the trust and a current board member, remembers his longtime friend.

State’s first Tesla dealership opens, offers limited sales

SARAH ANDREWS

COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

The much-touted first Tesla dealership in Vermont opened in March in South Burlington, but some would-be buyers of its popular electric vehicles still can’t get cars there.

In late May, a salesperson there was telling customers they could buy a Tesla online and pick it up at the dealership if they had their own financing — cash or a personal auto loan. But to use Tesla financing and low-interest deals, customers had to make the 278-mile, five-hour trek to Paramus, N.J., to get their vehicles while the local dealership works on setting up its computer system.

It’s a drive that current Vermont Tesla owners know well, because they had to travel to New Jersey to collect their Model 3s and Model Ys. They might have had reason to celebrate in January, when the car company announced it would open the South Burlington dealership at the former Hannaford supermarket site on Shelburne Road.

They now can take their Teslas in for repairs or maintenance closer to home, instead of driving to service centers in Massachusetts or upstate New York.

“It’s going to make life a whole lot easier for New Englanders,” said Michelle Lewis, a White River Junction resident who owns a Model 3 and writes for Electrek, an online magazine focused on electric vehicles. “It will make a big difference if they need something done.”

Tesla dealerships don’t sell cars for buyers to drive straight off the lot. All Tesla customers must order through the carmaker’s website. At the South Burlington location, employees can answer questions and help customers place orders, whether those orders will arrive there or in New Jersey.

An employee at the South Burlington dealership told a reporter for The Other Paper that he and other workers need corporate approval from Tesla, based

in Texas, for news coverage. Multiple attempts to reach Tesla officials via email and phone for permission to do local interviews were unsuccessful.

Inside the sleek, nearly empty dealership in South Burlington, the main attraction is the 2024 Cybertruck, a 19-footlong, sharp-angled stainless steel electric pickup that Tesla recently released. Several Teslas in the parking lot are available for test drives.

Todd Lockwood, director of the Vermont Tesla Owners Group and owner of both a Model Y and a Model 3, said he spends almost every day hanging out at the new dealership, getting to know the staff and local customers. He brings his morning coffee there and said he sees the dealership’s service department is busy.

“Really terrific crew they have working there,” he said.

Lockwood said he expects the dealership’s opening will lead to more Vermonters choosing Teslas when they look to a driving option that doesn’t use gasoline.

“There are many, many people in the area here that will probably buy a Tesla, but they were holding off until there was a service facility within a reasonable distance,” Lockwood said.

The local dealership started business as Tesla experienced a significant slowdown in sales, according to its recent financial results. In April, the company announced an 8.7 percent drop in revenue and a 55 percent decline in profits for the first quarter of the year, compared with the same period in 2023. It has since laid off hundreds of employees, according to news reports.

Still, electric vehicle experts said Tesla sales remain strong in Vermont. Auto sales data shows that Teslas account for just over a quarter of Vermont’s 9,000 or so registered electric vehicles, said David Roberts, senior consultant and electric vehicle expert for Vermont Energy Invest

Come celebrate summer with us on the Church Street Marketplace!

Enjoy our Music on the Bricks concert series, kid-friendly activities at the Imagination Station , talented acoustic artists , and outdoor shopping all summer long. Plus, our annual Sidewalk Sale is back again for its 44th year!

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MANNING

The electric car company Tesla is open for business on Shelburne Road.

CRIME & COURTS

Police arrest man after he brandished gun

South Burlington police arrested a man for threatening others with a firearm on June 19 around 5 p.m. on Williston Road.

The arrest happened after officers responded to Kinney Drugs for a retail theft. During the investigation, police found that after a woman stole items from the store, store employees confronted her and a fracas broke between employees, the woman and several others waiting for her

in a car outside the store.

During the disturbance, a man took out an assault-style rifle from the car and brandished it at store employees.

Police arrested Brent LaBombard, 51, of South Burlington, for reckless endangerment and simple assault. Police say LaBombard’s criminal history in Vermont includes 34 misdemeanor convictions, 11 felony convictions and a history of failure to appear.

Total incidents: 203

South Burlington Police Blotter: June 17 - 23

Agency / public assists: 17

Directed patrol: 13

Traffic stop: 12

Accident: property damage: 7

Alarm: 16

Operations: foot patrol: 18

Suspicious event: 9

Retail theft: 6

Motor vehicle complaint: 13

Welfare check: 15

Simple assault: 3

Trespass: 11

Disturbance: 4

Accident: insurance purposes: 3

Leaving the scene: 3

Stolen vehicle: 2

Larceny from a vehicle: 6 Threats: 2

Intoxication: 2

Animal problem: 2

Unlawful mischief: 2

Larceny from a structure: 3

Juvenile issue: 3

Mental health: 4

Arrests: Jose M. Gonzalez-Gines, 31, of South Burlington, was arrested for simple assault in a May 25 incident on Williston Road at 4:15 p.m.

Jennifer A. Boyer, 37, of Burlington, was arrested for grand larceny in a May 28 incident on Dorset Street around 4:51 p.m.

June 19 at 5:12 p.m., Brent Lee LaBombard, 51, of South Burlington, was arrested for simple assault and reckless endangerment on Williston Road. (See related, this page)

June 20 at 7:05 p.m., Mike G. Thompson, 41, of South Burlington, was arrested on two

an in-state warrants on Farrell Street.

June 20 at 7:05, Dewayne C. White, 38, of Burlington, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Farrell Street.

June 22 at 9:59 a.m., Danny B. Davis, 60, of Milton, was arrested for eluding a police officer at Dorset and Market streets.

June 22 at 2:18 p.m., Joy Yonan-Renold, 40, of South Burlington, was arrested for aggravated assault on Fox Run Lane.

June 22 at 10:31 p.m., Jason P. Bushway, 20, of Burlington, was arrested at Williston and Hinesburg roads for excessive speed.

Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.

South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977 A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC otherpapersbvt.com

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Billing inquiries Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101

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Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 864-6670

Brent LaBombard

OPINION

Judge remembers 40th anniversary of Island Pond raid

Guest Perspective

Dean Pineles

At dawn on June 22, 1984, 90 police officers, 50 social workers, medical personnel and numerous state officials descended upon the reclusive and secretive Northeast Kingdom Community Church in Island Pond, initiating one of the most notorious events in state history.

The Northeast Kingdom Community Church consisted of adults and children who moved to Island Pond in the late 1970s from Tennessee. Adults did not register births and deaths, did not send their children to school and allegedly disciplined their children harshly and repeatedly with wooden rods, causing welts, bruises and even open wounds, as dictated by their strict interpretation of the Bible.

The intervention’s goal was to place all the children into emergency state custody and have them physically examined since church elders repeatedly refused to cooperate with the state.

Thus, a clash between two valued rights ensued: the right of children to be safe and the right to freely exercise religion. It ultimately presented an extremely difficult decision for Republican Gov. Richard Snelling. Should the state intervene with a show of strength after all less intrusive measures had been exhausted?

At the time, I was the governor’s legal counsel and his liaison with the attorney general’s office, state police, human services, child protection, health and social services, all of which were involved.

Abuse allegations surfaced in 1982 and into 1983, mostly from defectors. Juvenile court proceedings in Caledonia County proved unsuccessful because the children could never be located within the secretive community.

In September 1983, an extensive state investigation identified 18 abused children. According to one report, “Between

12/82 and 3/83 witness observed parents and two others repeatedly beat [child] with rod resulting in welts and bruises on buttocks, back and sides of legs.”

The child was 2 years old. All other examples were similar, but again the children couldn’t be located.

In October 1983, an evaluation by a respected Burlington psychologist retained by the office of child protection, concluded: “I feel strongly that all of the children residing in the Island Pond community can be considered at risk for physical and emotional abuse.”

were then undertaken into the spring of 1984.

In early June, there was another failed court proceeding in Caledonia County to obtain the identities of certain children.

On June 9, the Orleans County State’s Attorney, acting on his own legal authority, obtained a judicial warrant to take all the children into custody. But Snelling refused to execute the warrant, insisting that it was his decision to make, and only through the attorney general’s office.

Shortly thereafter, reliable information disclosed a secret plan to relocate the

The event created a media firestorm, both locally and nationally, and there were headlines, front-page stories and photographs in papers such as the Boston Herald, New York Times, Boston Globe, Burlington Free Press and the Times Argus and Rutland Herald.

Based on this stark conclusion, plans for an intervention were developed, including the formation of an operational team. But Snelling insisted on voluntary compliance, so over the ensuing months there were repeated personal contacts with church elders, all without success.

On Feb. 1, 1984, an evaluation of a 4-year-old girl who had been relocated to Florida, concluded, “It is the impression of this examiner (a medical doctor) that the child has been chronically and repeatedly (abused).

There was also an unsuccessful attempt to obtain voluntary examinations by a Maine physician who had a relationship with the Northeast Kingdom Community Church.

Nineteen days later, another evaluation commissioned by the health department concluded: “We think you do have sufficient grounds to consider a screen of all children in the group,” although they urged a cooperative approach. More unsuccessful efforts to gain cooperation

children away from Island Pond. Upon the urgent and unanimous recommendation of the involved state officials, Snelling made the agonizing decision to seek the warrant, which was issued by Judge Joseph Wolchik on June 21.

Early the next morning, the operational team moved in, and state troopers knocked on the doors of 20 church residences and removed no fewer than 112 children.

When they were delivered by buses to Newport for medical and social checkups and court proceedings, a different judge, Frank Mahady, had been handpicked by the chief administrative judge, a former Democratic lieutenant governor and political foe of Snelling’s, to replace Wolchik.

It was a day of chaos and high anxiety in Newport. Case by case, Mahady refused to order emergency detention for any of the children, claiming the evidence did not constitute an emergency, and that Wolchik’s warrant was unconsti-

tutionally broad.

The children were never examined and were released back to their parents that day.

Many commentators supported the intervention, but many vehemently opposed it. State officials argued vigorously that the constitutional rights of small children and not those of religious extremists were of utmost importance.

Snelling defended the action, but conceded it was the most difficult decision in his public life. Former Gov. Howard Dean, then a state representative, also voiced strong support.

The debate continued throughout the summer of 1984. The appointment of Mahady proved highly controversial. Many believed Wolchik would have granted emergency detention had it not been for the intrusion of the administrative judge.

There was ongoing litigation in juvenile court on a non-emergency basis to address the underlying allegations of abuse, and Mahady dismissed all the cases in early August. The state did not appeal, ending legal proceedings, and there was no legislative investigation, which some had recommended.

The controversy slowly died down, and despite ongoing efforts by child protection officials, the children were never examined. The church departed Island Pond several years later.

The fundamental dilemma lingers: What was the proper response? If a child had been seriously injured or died from a beating, the state would have been severely criticized for taking no action,

See PINELES on page 6

Art-based activities, food trucks, lawn games, and community!

Live Music: July 5 – Mal Maiz August 2 – Dwight + Nicole Sponsored by

Alliance Defending Freedom fails Christian values test

Guest Perspective

Rev. Devon Thomas

In my pastoral opinion, the lawsuit filed against the Vermont Department of Children and Families by the Alliance Defending Freedom does not represent Christian values. This suit is a symptom of a very harmful historical alliance between conservative faith and political power.

As a person of faith, I would not want the actions of the alliance to be confused with traditional Christian values. The way Christian faith has been used over the years to repress individual freedom and to ignore the pain and struggle of LGBTQ people is not representative of the gospel at all.

this country, but there is a difference

between having the freedom to express religious beliefs and imposing them upon others. This is the reason the Vermont Department of Children and Families has chosen to revoke the foster care license of a Vermont couple who, by their admission, hold religious beliefs that keep them from recognizing the difficulties many LGBTQ youth struggle within Vermont.

I don’t want to argue the department’s case, which should be left to the courts, but rather to challenge the Alliance Defending Freedom’s position that traditional Christianity sees LGBTQ people as sinners. I would put forward a counterargument that the gospel condemns that very type of dogmatism as a sin against God.

Matthew 19:1-5 is a passage of scripture many dogmatic Christians use to justify heterosexual marriage. It is also the passage where Jesus challenges the social stigma against eunuchs and affirms their place in God’s realm.

them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Here, Jesus does not distinguish between who God’s children are. Jesus warns against sin but is always aware that what is wrong, and right is circumstantial. He tells us the law does not define sin, hate defines sin. Jesus clearly warns his followers to avoid dogmatic beliefs, telling them not to get so hung up on laws and codes that they cannot love other people. Doing so is a greater sin.

Christians do not need to agree with individuals to love and support them. If a person’s beliefs disallow them to support all types of children, then it is the Department of Children and Families’ responsibility to deny their foster status. The department’s primary responsibility is the well-being of the children in its care.

I would hope those who choose to inform themselves on what traditional Christianity has to say about our LGBTQ sisters and brothers, choose to read the gospel message for themselves.

In this passage, Jesus rebukes his disciples for discouraging children from hearing him. He tells them, “Let the children come to me and do not stop

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I accept there are many interpretations of how best to love God and neighbor. However, I reject, with full faith, that any human being or written document can communicate the fullness of God’s will. Good and evil will always be circumstantial. The idea that the Bible condemns LGBTQ people as sinful is rooted in uncompromising belief that keeps Christians from seeing they are wrong.

That hardness of heart keeps the children of God from the love of God. It kills when we are told to heal (Mark 3:4). It is not traditional Christianity.

PINELES

continued from page 5

just as it was taken to task by many for pursuing the intervention. It was a classic situation then of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” and remains so today.

Retired judge Dean Pineles of Stowe was Gov. Richard Snelling’s legal counsel in 1984 and directly involved in planning the raid to rescue alleged -

I do not believe the Alliance Defending Freedom case reflects the message of Jesus Christ. I would further argue that the dogmatic teachings they believe to be traditionally Christian are a deviation from the message we see in the gospel. We are all entitled to our beliefs and opinions, and I would hope those who choose to inform themselves on what traditional Christianity has to say about our LGBTQ sisters and brothers, choose to read the gospel message for themselves.

Rev. Devon Thomas serves the Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington.

ly abused children from the secretive Northeast Kingdom Community Church in Island Pond. The raid generated enormous publicity, both locally, regionally and nationally and was highly controversial. He is also the author of a memoir, “A Judge’s Odyssey: From Vermont to Russia, Kazakhstan and Georgia, Then on to War Crimes and Organ Trafficking in Kosovo.”

Rev. Devon Thomas

Running the amazing race

In Musing

Carole Vasta Folley

Please don’t tell me your dreams. It’s not just that they bore me, they anesthetize me. I’ll be out before you explain, “It’s me in the dream, but not really me, you know?”

I do understand that, for many, dreams are informative, revelatory and profound. But after 12 years of Jungian dream therapy gone awry, I just can’t listen to them anymore. I’m ridiculously happy ignoring even my own dreams. See? It’s not personal.

So, it was shocking when I awoke with a dream that I not only remembered but, horrors, wanted to share with someone. Dear reader, that means you. Don’t worry, I’ll pay it forward. For everyone who reads this, I’ll listen to an equal amount of my husband’s dreams. I didn’t say I had to be awake, right?

My dream was no big shakes. Nothing epic about it. In it, my brother, Roger, tries to convince me to go on “The Amazing Race” with him. If you’re not familiar with this reality TV show that boasts 36 seasons, let me fill you in. Pairs race around the globe performing unexpected challenges like bungee jumping into the Corinth Canal or riding a yak in Mongolia. Yes, sometimes the competitions are less thrilling, like pushing fish heads on spikes or eating four pounds of meat or running in your underwear.

of the show filming both of us crying while one pushes the other down the world’s longest waterslide in Dubai. (If you’re an “Amazing Race” fan, you’ll know the reference.)

Granted, my brother would be fairly good in many of the challenges. I’d like to guess he could put away a solid amount of meat and do fairly well in the underwear running department, though I wouldn’t want to be there to see it. But then I looked closer at the details. The underpants running happens in freezing Siberia and the meat challenge wasn’t just a pile of hamburgers. It was an Argentine feast featuring cow intestines and various glands.

Emphatically, my brother and I do not enjoy surprise challenges. We have zero interest in jumping off a dam or into a boat filled with 500 live crabs, let alone milking a camel. That’s not how we roll.

Roger and I prefer the known, the calm, the predictability of life. Truth is, it’s a remedy to our painful past. Besides, I’d suggest the two of us have already run a sad version of “The Amazing Race” growing up. One that happened to live in our childhood home, where there were enough challenges, precariousness, and fear to last both our lifetimes.

Emphatically, my brother and I do not enjoy surprise challenges. We have zero interest in jumping off a dam or into a boat filled with 500 live crabs.

Of course, as children, we weren’t asked to perform death defying feats. Or were we? In an abusive home, you’re forced to play a risky game of survival. Sure, racing around the world would’ve been preferred, but that wasn’t an option. Instead, our reality competition was at home where we tried to stay as safe as possible. Day after day.

In real life, there is no way Roger would want to go on this show, with me or without me. We have this in common. I’m so sure about this, I’d rather listen to your dreams than go on “The Amazing Race.”

In the nightmare, I mean, dream, I beseech my brother, “On what planet do you think we’d want to do this?” I go red in embarrassment as I imagine the possibility

I wish Roger and I could have gone on the real show instead. After all, it offered something we never had a chance at while growing up — the possibility of a win. That, and we’d be a team, finally forging the innate sibling bond we were denied as kids. The one we’ve had to paste together ever since. From the start, I would have Roger’s back. And he’d have mine.

Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning columnist and playwright. Visit carolevf.com

Carole Vasta Folley

Community Notes

Sign up now for Shelburne grab and go meal

Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday, July 9.

Meals will be available for pick up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m. until noon and are available for anyone 60 or older. Suggested donation is $5.

The menu is glazed chopped pork and ham patty with pineapple sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, wheat roll, oatmeal craisin cookie and milk.

To order a meal contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-503-1107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, July 3. If this is a first-time order, provide your name, address, phone number and date of birth.

Learn about restaurant tickets to dine at participating restaurants at agewellvt.org.

Rocky Dale hosts Art on Main fundraiser

Local garden expert Charlie Nardozzi will speak at and about Bristol’s Rocky Dale Gardens on Sunday, July 14, from 4-6 p.m. Take a tour of the display

COMMUNITY

Epic A.J. by Grayson Dailey

gardens and unique landscape of Rocky Dale under the educated and exuberant guidance of Vermont’s favorite gardener. Nardozzi will discuss plants, garden design and maintenance, including Rocky Dale’s unusual specimen trees that add such distinction to the property.

The tour will be followed with herbal tea and treats and time for questions with Nardozzi and Rocky Dale’s staff.

Tickets for the fundraiser, which benefits Art on Main, a nonprofit, community-supported gallery, are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Art on Main in Bristol or at artonmainvt. com.

Orchard Elementary offers summer library hours

Starting June 19 and continuing Wednesdays throughout the summer, Orchard Elementary will hold summer library hours from 9 a.m. to noon.

Rokeby exhibit explores struggle for freedom

“Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family” opens this summer at Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh, which immerses visitors in the history of the Underground Railroad and the struggle for freedom.

Explore the history and ongoing legacy of enslavement in the U.S. and the complicated story of the Robinson family as they went from enslavers in earlier generations to abolitionists in the 19th century.

The museum’s seasonal exhibition, “Artifacts & Anecdotes: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at

Project Search

Rokeby Museum,” highlights volunteers and staff who work year-round to research and preserve the Robinson family collection. Their work gives them unique access to the family’s collection, and in this exhibition, they share a few of their favorite objects and stories.

Other summer programing will include:

• “Seeking Freedom” gallery talks: July 25 and Aug. 15, free

with admission or $5.

• Reading Frederick Douglass: July 5, free.

• Pie and ice cream social: Aug. 11.

This family-friendly event has sheep petting from Hands & Heart Farm, kid’s crafts, historic spinning and weaving, printing press demonstrations, farm hours, and more. Food vendors include James Beard Award semifinalist A Tate of Abyssinia.

COURTESY PHOTO

On June 5, Project Search held its completion ceremony. Project Search is a businessled school to work transition program for young adults with disabilities. Keyshawn Brochu, who graduated from South Burlington High School in 2023, was part of the ceremony. Find more information on Project Search at bit.ly/3XiEJG9.

News from South Burlington Public Library

180 Market St., South Burlington, 802-846-4140, southburling tonlibrary.org for information about any programming, cancellations or in-person changes. Some events require preregistration.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Email sbplinfo@southburlingtonvt.gov.

KIDS & TEENS

Game changers

Tuesdays in July, 1-2:30 p.m. Join Valerie to play new and noteworthy board games, and old favorites. For grades four and up. No registration.

Family storytime

Tuesdays in July, 10-11 a.m. For infants to age 5. Stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays.

Summer babytime

Wednesdays in July, 9:15-9:45 a.m.

Babytime for non-mobile infants and their adult caregivers.

Summer reading craftytown!

Wednesdays in July, 10-11:30 a.m.; second session, 4 p.m.

Projects geared to kids ages 8 and up, or ages 6 and up with an adult helper. July 3: Hand sew a rock bag. July 10: seed bombs. July 17: Adventure box. July 24: patterned bandanas using traditional shibori folding techniques and natural dye. July 31: bird book.

Lego builders

Fridays in July, 3-4:30 p.m.

Projects geared to kids ages eight and up, or ages six and up with an adult helper. Each week, builders explore, create and participate in challenges.

Musical storytime with Ms. Liz

Tuesday, July 1, 10:30-11 a.m.

It’s time to party at the museum. This annual summer event at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum features live music, food and drink, prizes and exclusive after-hours access to exhibits. It will be held Friday, July 12, 5-8 p.m. at the museum, 4472 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes. As a special experience for 2024, party guests will also be the first to preview the museum’s newest exhibit about canal boats stories discovered from shipwrecks. Tickets include all food for the evening and one raffle ticket. Donations support the museum’s free admission and pay-what-you-can summer camps. More at lcmm.org. Above, Partygoers at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

Friday, July 26, 10:30-11 a.m. For infants to age 4. Game on!

Wednesday, July 3, 5-6:30 p.m.

Gaming with Nintendo Switch on the big screen. Parents must be present to supervise children under 11.

Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival

Wednesday, July 10, 11:15 a.m.-noon

A kid-sized, all-ages, chamber music concert with students from the 2024 Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. All ages.

Lyric Theatre’s ‘Rainbow Fish Musical’

Thursday, July 11, 6-7 p.m.

The wise Octopus helps Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in the ocean, learn that it’s far better to

COURTESY PHOTO

“Color in Motion” by Joan Hartley Blunt Murray graces the library’s walls in July.

PHOTO COURTESY BUZZ KUHNS

Vermonters make the move to solar

Clean & Green

Annie Krueger

As a Vermonter, you’ve probably noticed plenty of solar panels powering homes and businesses in your community. In fact, nearly 20 percent of the state’s electricity comes from solar power. Have you ever wondered why so many of your neighbors have made the switch?

Keep reading to learn about a few of the economic and environmental benefits that have led so many of us in the Green Mountain State to go solar.

Lower electric bills: On sunny days, your solar system could produce enough energy to cover your household energy consumption. Even when the skies are overcast and your panels aren’t getting as much direct sunlight, they’ll still be able to produce enough to offset a portion of your electric bills.

Plus, if you add a solar battery to your system, you’ll be able to store energy from the sun to use when your panels aren’t producing enough.

Depending on your municipality, you might also be able to partake in net metering, which is when you feed some of your excess solar energy to the utility

grid in exchange for credits. You can put the credits toward your electric bills to further decrease the costs of any electricity you use from the grid.

Increased home value: With an increased interest in solar energy, the value of homes with solar have increased in the last few years. One study by Zillow even showed that solar increases the value of homes by up to 4 percent. For homeowners, investing in a solar system now will only make their homes more appealing to buyers in the future.

Decreased carbon footprint: Unlike many traditional energy sources, solar systems don’t emit harmful emissions into the environment. With home energy use being a large contributor to the climate change crisis, switching to a clean, renewable energy source helps to reduce the number of pollutants negatively impacting the environment. After the weather patterns we’ve seen in Vermont this past year, even more people in the state have decided to opt for sunlight to power their home rather than fossil fuels.

If net metering is available where you live, you can help reduce the overall harmful emissions going into the environment in your area by feeding

your excess clean energy to the grid during times of peak energy usage. So, even if your neighbors don’t have solar, you can help reduce their reliance on often-imported, and dirtier, fossil-fuel based energy with the excess, clean energy you produce from the sun.

Energy independence: Switching to solar gives you control over your own energy production, so you don’t have to rely as heavily on your local utility. This means you don’t have to worry about fluctuating electricity prices or paying hefty bills for your energy. Solar gives you a stable source of energy that won’t have you questioning how much

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you need to budget for electricity each month.

Additionally, adding batteries to your system can make you even more energy independent. Due to the often-inclement weather, Vermonters are no strangers to power outages. However, with solar panels and batteries you can produce and store your own energy, so you can continue powering your home even when the grid goes down. Unlocked incentives: Home and business owners investing in solar and batteries are eligible for a federal investment tax credit, which is currently at 30 percent. There are also a variety of other incentives offered by the federal and state government, including an additional 7.2 percent tax credit specifically for businesses considering solar. These rebate opportunities help make clean energy accessible to more

There are also programs offered by local energy companies to encourage more clean energy usage. Green Mountain Power’s Bring Your Device

continued from page 3

ment Corporation, the Winooski nonprofit that runs the state’s utility devoted to energy efficiency.

“We’ve seen a very sharp increase over the last year and a half or so,” Roberts said.

The cost-effectiveness of driving electric, as well as the state’s commitment to accessible charging, has driven Vermonters’ interest in Teslas and electric vehicles in general, Roberts said. Vermont has the most charging stations per-capita in the country, he said.

Nationwide, the shift toward electric vehicles is similar, according to Lewis. The car

Program offers money to homeowners toward the purchase of a solar battery in exchange for a fixed amount of your stored power. Through its ESS Program, the company offers 10-year leases for two Tesla powerwalls in exchange for a portion of your stored energy. If you’re not one of their customers, you might be able to find similar programs through your own utility. Thanks to all these benefits, the number of Vermonters who use the sun’s energy continues to grow. The good news is that sunlight is abundant, so there’s plenty for all of us.

Annie Kluger of South Burlington works at Green Mountain Solar and takes an educational approach to helping Vermonters go solar. Clean & Green is a regular feature, initiated and managed by the South Burlington Energy Committee, and will feature a variety of perspectives from members of city committees and commissions, city staff and outside organizations on environmental issues facing the city.

market is changing, and so are dealerships.

“I always liken this to going from the horse to the Model T,” she said, referring to Ford Motor Company’s original mass-produced car. “This is not optional. We’re moving away from gas.”

Sarah Andrews reported this story on assignment from the Vermont Community Newspaper Group. The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

COURTESY PHOTO

A new home is equipped with solar panels. About 20 percent of the state’s electricity is generated by solar.

Maritime museum explores Champlain’s rich canal boat history

A new exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum showcases canal boat stories from a fresh perspective.

The exhibit dives into the history of canal boats on Champlain using research and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks and shares lesser-known local stories of canal boats and the people who worked them, providing unexpected points of connection.

“Underwater Archaeology: Diving into the Stories of People and Canal Boats on Lake Champlain” opens Saturday, July 13, at the museum in Vergennes.

While the maritime industry of the 19th century was dominated by men, the canal boat community was strikingly different. Boats were often owned and operated by families who lived on board, combining work and home for men, women and children, and building connected communities with other canal boat families.

For the museum’s research and archaeology team, the work of excavating canal boat shipwrecks in Lake Champlain is a special experience as they discover families’ home goods, toys, tools and clothes as well as the cargo that canal boats were tasked with delivering.

The new exhibit invites visitors to immerse themselves in these stories and experience being an underwater archaeologist diving on a shipwreck to recover artifacts. Using 3D models of original arti-

LIBRARY

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be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.

Middle school makers: Cooking

Thursdays, July 11 and 25, 4-5:30 p.m.

July 11: Students in grades five to eight will be making crab Rangoon. July 25: Dutch baby with berries.

Friday movie

Fridays, July 12 and 26, 3-4:30 p.m.

July 12: “Let’s Go to the Farm” explores how cows are cared for, hay is baled, maple syrup is made, and crops harvested. July: “A Bug’s Life.”

Tracking Connection

Tuesday, July 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Stories and footage of otter, fisher, bobcat, mink, fox and coyote captured on trail cameras throughout South Burlington and beyond. Family presentation appropriate for ages 5 and up. No pre-registration is required.

facts, visitors can experience what it’s like to find an object in dark water, guessing what it is by touch alone.

Through audio recordings of interviews with two women who grew up on canal boats, visitors can listen to first-person accounts

ADULTS

Knit for your neighbors

Thursdays in July, 2-5 p.m.

Yarn, needles and crochet hooks supplied. Knit or crochet hats and scarves to help keep your neighbors warm. All finished projects will be donated to the South Burlington Food Shelf. No meeting on July 4. Chess club

Saturdays in July, 11 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Ready for a serious game of chess? Join the Chittenden County Chess Club and other pawn pushers every Saturday.

Mandarin conversation circle

Tuesdays, July 2 and 16, 11 a.m.-noon

Learn and improve your Mandarin and make new friends with volunteers from Vermont Chinese School. Drop-in. No registration. Tech help by appointment Fridays, July 5 and 19,

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesdays, July 9 and 23, 1-4 p.m.

English conversation circle

Mondays, July 8 and 22, noon-1 p.m.

English as a Second Language discussion group, facilitated by staff.

Classical encounters: Chamber music recital

Wednesday, July 17, 1:15-2:15 p.m.

Students from the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival will perform. For 10 and up. Chat with the performers over light refreshments in the South Burlington Public Art Gallery after the performance.

Board games brunch

Saturday, July 20, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Registration required.

of what life was like for children on these vessels, going to school in the winter, recreation, and more.

A rich collection of objects including artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, ship models and documents welcomes guests to envision life on board for the diverse mix of people who lived and worked on canal boats.

Featured artifacts include a toy boat and woman’s overshoe recovered from the sailing canal

boat General Butler shipwreck, an iron kettle from the canal boat Vergennes, a 19th-century cornet from the sailing canal boat O.J. Walker and more.

The public can enjoy a special preview at the museum’s annual summer party on Friday, July 12, an evening filled with live music, local food, a raffle and silent auction and after-hours access to exhibits.

Find out more at lcmm.org.

REPAIRS

Performed by Our Graduate Gemologists

COURTESY PHOTO

The famous moment the sailing canal boat General Butler crashed on the Burlington breakwater. Artifacts from this shipwreck will be on display in a new exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

PICKLEBALL

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time since living in South Burlington.

But with no resolution in sight, Guarino is spearheading a petition that, as of Monday, had garnered nearly 60 signatures, all from doorto-door campaigning that she has undertaken in her free time in the last month. The petition asks the city to remove pickleball from Szymanski Park and relocate it to Dorset Park, but Guarino said she is hopeful for any sort of compromise the city is willing to make.

“This is my first political adventure,” she said. “I have never done anything like this before. I’ve never even spoken publicly until I spoke at the city council meeting.”

The sport, which began in the 1960s, has been dubbed as the fastest-growing sport in America, primarily due to its accessibility, fast-paced matches and comradery between players, on and off the court.

Although the playful pastime in some ways mirrors popular sports like tennis — sans the padded balls and netted rackets — pickleball utilizes hard, plastic paddles and a whiffle-like ball that is click-

clacked back and forth between competing players.

“Fifteen hours a day, seven days a week, from March possibly until the end of November,” she said of the noise. “We cannot suffer this. This neighborhood has been turned on its head. I can tell you, it has made my life a living … I won’t say the word.”

The courts are relatively new to Szymanski Park, but the pickleball conversation really began ramping up in the city before the pandemic, said Adam Matth, the city’s director of recreation and parks.

“It was during 2018 and 2019 in the recreation committee. Through public feedback, there was the interest to look into doing pickleball courts,” he said. “Obviously, Szymanski is the only location where we have previously made tennis courts and the easy ability to adjust to pickleball courts. But then obviously Covid happened and stalled some of the projects.”

The city turned one tennis court into four pickleball courts in the fall of 2022, he said, which cost roughly $20,000 to build. The project was just one of roughly a dozen projects

Technology Manager

in the recreation department’s capital improvement plan, which also included repaving the basketball court and remaining tennis court that year.

But for Guarino, aside from just the noise, the lack of available parking, and the influx of those zooming into the city from surrounding towns to utilize the free service has created a massive safety hazard, especially for walkers and bikers.

“If the city had researched the available parking at the park, they would have realized putting four pickleball courts there was well beyond the parking capacity of the neighborhood infrastructure,” she said. “I have an autistic child who lives with me who is 10. It’s not safe walking to and from school because of cars being clocked at 40 miles an hour.”

Similarly, resident Mike Gratz, who has lived in the surrounding area for a decade, has had similar first-hand accounts of the reckless drivers on Andrews Avenue, who along with their pickleball gear, oftentimes sport middle-finger hand gestures and aggressive language when asked to slow down by neighbors.

“I believe that by not advocating for or speaking up against the issue of the pickleball courts at Szymanski, it’ll continue to be at the expense and safety of my family, my neighbors and the dozen or so preschool to middle school-aged kids who live within a one block radius of the park,” he said at a city council meeting in April. “It’s unfortunate that in a few short years, the safety and serenity the neighborhood once provided has been completely destroyed.

Following the city’s decision to modify one of the park’s tennis courts to pickleball courts, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the issues, concerns and disruption they would have brought.”

What’s even more concerning for Guarino is that the implementation of the courts seems to have happened at a committee level, with influence from a small group of players, and without any input of the residents.

“I have been to South Burlington City Council meetings and recreation department meetings. Both panels have encouraged me

TECH HUB continued from page 1

COME GROW WITH STOWE!

The Town of Stowe is seeking a Technology Manager to help us stay operational and move into the future with technology. This position is responsible for overseeing the provisioning, monitoring, planning, implementation, and maintenance of the software, hardware and other systems needed to support the computing, communications and technology needs of the Town of Stowe.

The individual selected will be a self-motivated department of one with excellent communication, project planning and implementation skills, and ability to manage vendor relations. We are especially interested in someone who can advance the Town of Stowe with their proficiency in various technology tools and cloud-based platforms. This is an in-person position.

The Technology Manager will work closely with existing IT managed service provider and other outside vendors to support the Town with help desk services, systems planning and implementation, cyber security support and radio communication vendor support.

The Town of Stowe is a full-service municipality with a multitude of departments including Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Town Clerk, Planning & Zoning, Lister, Public Works, Water, Wastewater, Highway, Library, Parks & Recreation including an Arena, and public safety with Police, Fire/EMS and Mountain Rescue. The Town of Stowe has a workforce of 66 full-time employees and more than 100 part-time emergency services and seasonal personnel.

Associate degree in the field of computer science or information technology preferred supplemented by three to five years of managerial experience, including budgeting, planning, and vendor relations, or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience. Pay range $73,095 - $86,742 dependent upon experience.

The Town of Stowe currently offers an excellent benefit package including BCBS health plans with low employee premium share, dental insurance, generous paid leave, VMERS pension plan, life insurance and more.

Job description and employment application can be obtained at: www.townofstowevt.org. Submit letter of interest, resume and employment application to: Town of Stowe, c/o HR Director, P.O. Box 730, Stowe, VT 05672 or by email recruit@stowevt.gov

The Town of Stowe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

designated one of 31 “tech hubs” as a part of phase one of the U.S. Economic Development Administration program.

Although that designation did not immediately open the spigot of federal funding, it enabled the consortium to apply for up to $75 million in grant money as part of phase two of the tech hub program.

Now, the consortium is awaiting the approval of its application, submitted in February, to fund six projects related to gallium nitride technology.

According to Douglas Merrill, UVM’s regional innovation officer, all 31 tech hubs are seeking phase two funding, and the Economic Development Administration only expects to support up to eight nationwide for this initial round of grants. Still, Merrill said he likes the Vermont group’s odds.

“We feel like we put together a really tight proposal with great partners across the region,” he said. “We’re optimistic that it will be funded.”

According to Merrill, the Economic Development Administration is expected to announce

to write a petition and continue to attend meetings. I have done both, but I feel this is simply to stall their admission of a grave mistake,” she said. “An appointed committee by the city council is not the voice of all the taxpaying residents of South Burlington.”

Matth said that the recreation committee and department have certainly heard from the public over the past several months regarding the pickleball courts, and the conversations parlay into larger discussions the committee is currently having in drafting its parks master plan, which is set to roll out this summer.

“This will also look at how all of our parks are utilized, and the best fit for all of them,” he said, while emphasizing the need for the city to balance equitable access to all its public parks.

But for Guarino, Gratz and perhaps some of the other 60 residents who signed the petition, pickleball at Szymanski Park has got to go.

“I will advocate for it to go,” she said. “I’ll stand up legally for it to go.”

YARD SALE

MAYFAIR PARK ANNUAL NEIGHBOR-

HOOD YARD SALE: Sat., June 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain or shine.

the recipients of the first round of phase two funding in June and early July.

Of the six Vermont tech hub entities seeking funding, three are in South Burlington’s Technology Park, meaning millions could flow into the city’s burgeoning tech center in the coming months.

The first is UVM’s design and computing center, where UVM keeps its servers and would add another server cluster for the computing work involved in designing gallium nitride technology products.

OnLogic is also seeking money to open a “characterization lab,” where those chips would be tested.

Finally, Resonant Link, a company that produces wireless charging technology, is seeking funding to pitch and design the first gallium nitride-based device produced by the tech-hub partners. Merrill said that it’s possible the Economic Development Administration decides to partially fund the Vermont projects, or else could decide to fund some of them while leaving others. If the V-GaN Tech Hub fails to receive any funding, however, Merrill said that there will still be opportunities down the line.

“There is the expectation that there will be a phase three, a phase four, and maybe more, and we do expect that we will apply for more grants down the road,” Merrill said. “This is not the only funding we’re expecting, but it is the first round.”

Immediate Job Openings

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

CVSD is Hiring!

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

Maintenance Technician – Skilled

Prekindergarten Lottery is now open for 2024-2025!

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our schoolbased prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

Preference will be given for certified/licensed HVAC, Electrical or AC Technician.

The CVSD Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random prekindergarten lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our schoolbased classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our school-based prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

Dolphins footballers train in St. J

On June 9, coaches Bryan Belisle and Javen Sears, along with four young athletes from the Dolphins organization — Kordell Phelps, seventh grade; Linus Dupee, eighth grade; Lewis Lovelady, seventh grade; and Sam DeSanctis, eighth grade — made their way to St. Johnsbury Academy for the Alerico O-Line Clinic. The event began with an intro-

duction by Coach Rich Alercio, before the kids jumped right into technique drills and more dynamic drills in the indoor fieldhouse.

Activities emphasized proper footwork, visual targeting and finding the most effective contact points for a variety of in-game situations.

During the clinic, the athletes encountered a diverse range of

All riders must sign an annual waiver. Cyclists should sign up for each individual ride so ride leaders know how many people to expect. For club rules and to join, visit gmbc.com.

Thursday, July 4

Salisbury ice cream social: From Hinesburg on rolling gravel hills.

Meet at 1 p.m. in Middlebury at the 3-mile bridge. The leader is John Bertelsen, 802-864-0101, jo.bertel@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 6

Gravel MUP #1: Dirt roads in the Hinesburg Charlotte area including Guinea, Bingham Brook, and Garen roads

If it’s important to you or your community look for it in The Other Paper.

Meet at 9:15 a.m. Charlotte Elementary School. The leader is Brian Howard, 802-304-0610, bjhowd@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 7

Willsboro Wanderer: 40- and 55- mile options of hilly terrain on low-traffic roads in New York.

Meeting at 8:30 a.m. for the 9 o’clock ferry, Old Champlain Flyer parking lot, Ferry Road, Charlotte (not the ferry parking lot). Leader is Kevin Batson, 802-825-2618, kevbvt@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 16

Not Quite Quebec: 51- and 64-miles rides on low traffic roads near the Canadian border. The route crosses the Missisquoi River

age groups and had the opportunity to interact with college head coaches Paul Castonia from Plymouth State University and Jeff Moore from Bentley University.

For further information contact Ron Larivee, rlarivee@cvsdvt.org.

Early Education Program is now accepting applications for a random lottery drawing for the 2024-25 school year. This lottery is for an opportunity to enroll in one of our school-based classrooms which run 10 hours per week. Our schoolbased prekindergarten classrooms are 5 STARs, licensed early education programs that provide play-based, developmentally appropriate environments for all children in an inclusive setting. Our curriculum is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS).

Our programs follow the CVSD school calendar. Children who will be age 3 or older by September 1, 2024, who are not eligible for kindergarten, and live in the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston are eligible to enter the lottery. Families who are selected for the lottery and choose to enroll their child in a CVSD program access their Act 166 publicly funded prekindergarten funds for the school-based program.

Full-time,

All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Educationwebsite at: https://tinyurl.com/CVSDEarlyEd or using this QR code. Paper applications are available upon request.

All applications must be received by February 5, 2024, and are located on the CVSD Early Education website at: https://tinyurl. com/CVSDEarlyEd or using this QR code.

Hourly

Paper applications are available upon request.

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@

Sam DeSanctis, one of Dolphins athletes, said, “I enjoyed being able to go against higher grades and the techniques I learned.” — Isaac Nicholson

Green Mountain Bike Club June rides

twice and travels along the shore of Lake Carmi.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Tractor Supply Company at exit 20 off I-89. The leader is Dave Merchant, 802-825-3808, merchand59@ gmail.com.

Saturday, July 20

Gravel Ride TBD: The leader is Brian Howard, 802-304-0610, bjhowd@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 21

Pleasant Valley Voyager: 30and 50-mile loops along Pleasant Valley Road in Underhill and Cambridge.

Meet at 9:15 at Brown’s River Middle School. Leader is Matt Kuivinen, mattkui@earthlink.net.

SEEKING TREATMENT PROVIDERS

The U.S. Probation Office in the District of Vermont believes that individuals subject to federal pretrial and post-conviction community supervision deserve access to quality, evidence-based treatment in the community. To that end, the District of Vermont will be soliciting for drug and alcohol, mental health, and sex offender specific treatment services, as well as drug testing services, for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Requests for Proposals in these service categories will be made available on www.vtp.uscourts.gov/solicitations on June 17, 2024. Interested parties should contact Shawna Lapierre at Shawna_Lapierre@vtp.uscourts.gov or 802-951-0625 to be added to the Bidder’s Mailing List.

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website under the Support Services tab.

For further information contact Tom Mongeon, tmongeon@ cvsdvt.org.

PUBLIC NOTICE

District HVAC Technician

For additional information, questions about our program, or any concerns about your child’s development, please visit our website or contact Director of Early Education, Erin Gagne at egagne@cvsdvt.org. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi available on the website under the Support Services tab.

This position performs skilled mechanical maintenance, including inspections, repair, installation of equipment i.e. heating, ventilation, A/C and refrigeration systems and perform preventative maintenance for the Champlain Valley School District.

cvsdvt. Our Early Education team is also available for developmental screenings in the areas of communication, socialemotional development, motor skills, adaptive development, and cognition. More information about an Early Multi-Tiered System of Supports is also available on the website under the Support Services tab.

For further information contact Chris Giard, cgiard@cvsdvt.org

CVSD is an equal opportunity employer. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

PUBLIC HEARING SOUTH BURLINGTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

The South Burlington Development Review Board will hold a public hearing in the South Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont, or online or by phone, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. to consider the following:

1. Final plat application #SD-24-11 of Allyson and Vincent Bolduc to subdivide an existing 16.46 acre lot developed with a single family home and accessory structures into two residential lots of 2.0 acres and 14.46 acres, retain the existing single family home and accessory structures on the 14.46 acre lot, and construct a duplex on the 2.0 acre lot, 252 Autumn Hill Road.

2. Master plan application #MP-24-03 of WGM Associates to subdivide an existing approximately 10.0 acre lot developed with three homes and an existing non-conforming commercial or private parking facility into ten single family home lots ranging from 0.26 acres to 2.05 acres, one single family home lot with an existing non-conforming commercial or private parking facility on 1.52 acres, and one 1.0 acre civic space lot, 850 Hinesburg Road.

3. Preliminary plat application #SD-24-08 of WGM Associates for phase one of a concurrent master plan for a development consisting of eleven single family homes and an existing non-conforming commercial or private parking facility. The phase consists of the creation of seven lots, three containing existing single family homes, two to contain new homes, one to contain an existing non-conforming commercial or private parking facility and new home, and one civic space lot, 850 Hinesburg Road.

4. Final plat application #SD‐24-13 of JJJ South Burlington, LLC and the City of South Burlington to amend a previously approved 291 unit planned unit development in two (2) phases. The amendment is to Phase II (Cider Mill II) of the project and consists of removing a requirement to prepare a scoping study for the intersection of Cheesefactory Road & Route 116, and shifting that responsibility to VTrans as requested by VTrans, 1580 Dorset Street & 1699 Hinesburg Road.

Board members will be participating in person. Applicants and members of the public may participate in person or remotely either by interactive online meeting or by telephone:

Interactive Online Meeting (audio & video): https://zoom.us/join By Telephone (audio only): (646) 931-3860

Meeting ID: 828 7808 5918

A copy of the application is available for public inspection by emailing Marla Keene, Development Review Planner, mkeene@southburlingtonvt.gov.

June 27, 2024

COURTESY PHOTO

From left, Sam DeSanctis, Linus Dupee, Lewis Lovelady and Kordell Phelps with one of the coaches at a recent Alercio O-Line Clinic.

We can help with gap year, career and parallel education planning.

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Foster motivation and purpose with proven assessments and tools for life skills development.

Contact Ben Mason ben@masonconsult.com • 617-283-6010

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Cleanup continues for South Burlington chemical spill

EMMA MALINAK VTDIGGER

Cleanup efforts are still underway after 800 gallons of chemical fire-fighting foam spilled at the Vermont National Guard’s aviation facility in South Burlington.

The building’s fire suppression system experienced a mechanical failure late on Thursday, June 20, and began releasing the foam. By Friday morning, the foam had leaked into the facility’s drainage system and spread to South Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant.

Concern regarding the severity of the spill rose over the weekend as locals found “no swimming” signs posted along the Winooski River — the river that the South Burlington plant releases treated water into — and Lake Champlain near the mouth of the river. The Vermont Department of Health asked parks in South Burlington, Winooski, Burlington, Colchester and the Winooski Valley Parks District to close their public swimming areas on Friday afternoon, said Sharon Muellers, the department’s senior public health communication officer.

Matt Chapman, director of the waste management and prevention division within Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation, said the “no swimming” signs were initially posted “out of an abundance of caution” but will be taken down today now that experts know more about the situation.

The substance that spilled, aqueous film-forming foam, contains a group of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Exposure to these chemicals, commonly known as PFAS, can lead to health problems including developmental defects, cancer, liver problems and decreased immune response.

While the treatment plant itself has already been cleaned, Chapman said, the next step is to clean out the piping of the airport’s wastewater infrastructure to ensure that no more PFAS are tracked into the plant.

Maj. Mikel Arcovitch, the Vermont National Guard’s state public affairs officer, said in an interview that the 650 gallons of foam contained within the Army Aviation Support Facility were removed on Friday by Republic Services, a recycling and waste solutions company based in Williston.

Now, Arcovitch said, Vermont National Guard officials must decontaminate anything that came into contact with the foam, including at least one helicopter. The building will reopen Wednesday, and an investigation of the fire-fighting system that malfunctioned will start Thursday, he said.

The foam system hasn’t been in active use for fire suppression at the facility for about 10 years, Arcovitch said.

Matt Chapman, director of the state’s waste management and prevention division said his team will continue to test the Winooski River and land around the airport and wastewater treatment plant in the coming weeks to monitor PFAS levels.

“We’re actively engaged in responding to the release (of the foam), and I think the public can feel safe about the conditions in the Winooski River,” Chapman said. “But we’re getting data to confirm that right now.”

Chapman said his team’s assessment comes in part from a better understanding of how much of the foam was released into the environment. About 650 gallons were contained inside the aviation facility and only 150 gallons were released into the South Burlington wastewater treatment system, he said.

Foam was cleared from the treatment plant on Friday, Chapman said, and there was no “visual evidence” of foam being discharged from the plant into the Winooski River. But “there may be small amounts of dissolved PFAS” that were released, he said. The only way to know is to wait for the results of water quality tests — which won’t be available until later this week, he said.

“It’s been kind of just sitting in a container, and we’ve been sitting on it, waiting for it to be removed,” he said.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s 2023 PFAS Roadmap, the National Guard facility has needed “ongoing remediation” for PFAS contamination to nearby soils and groundwater due to use of the firefighting foam.

Chapman said that while Vermont has some PFAS regulations in place — including Act 36, which bans PFAS chemicals from being used in fire-fighting foam — they don’t always apply to locations like the aviation facility that are also monitored by the U.S. Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration. The lack of consistency, he said, is a “historic issue” that has long-term implications.

Because PFAS are very stable chemicals — they’re often called “forever chemicals” — they do not break down and can build up in the environment, wildlife and humans over time, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s reports on PFAS. The chemicals are also water soluble and mobile, meaning they can travel in water far from where they were initially released, making many drinking water sources vulnerable to contamination.

Chapman said his team will continue to test the Winooski River and land around the airport and wastewater treatment plant in the coming weeks to monitor PFAS levels. But he said locals shouldn’t be concerned about drinking water at this time: the Winooski River runs at 5,000 gallons per second, he said, making any contamination from the spill “a very small amount” in comparison.

The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont National Guard are expected to release additional updates about cleanup progress and PFAS investigations as more information becomes available.

PHOTO BY ALICIA FREESE/VTDIGGER

A warning sign seen on the Island Line Trail near the North Shore Natural Area in Burlington on June 23.